Be patient, kids

Cecil Cooper talked in Cincinnati about Manzella's getting one to two starts per series, but the manager said Sunday that the plan might not kick in for a while.

Manzella did not start in the Milwaukee series and has one start in the 12 games for which he's been in uniform.

“The main reason he's here is to see what was going on and get used to the atmosphere and that type of thing,” Cooper said. “I talked to (Miguel) Tejada a couple days ago in Cincinnati about trying to get (Manzella) in one game a series if it works out that way. Maybe not here, maybe not the St. Louis deal. But after that, for sure trying to get him in. And Tejada has some things that he's trying to accomplish too, so you've got to be mindful of that.”

Tejada didn't speak publicly about any individual goals beyond just playing hard the last two weeks .

Staying loose

Starting once in 12 days is a shock to the system of Tommy Manzella, who was an everyday shortstop in the minor leagues.

He was one of the first Astros on the field before Sunday's game doing some running exercises, but he admits he's still getting used to the preparation.

“This is really the first time I've had to deal with not really playing,” Manzella said. “So I'm trying to keep my legs fresh and experimenting with different things and trying different ways to stay loose and be ready. You never know when the opportunity is going to present itself and when you're going to have to be ready to play.”

Manzella did not express disappointment at having made only one start so far. Fellow call-ups Chris Johnson and J.R. Towles have made five starts at third base and catcher, respectively.

“I didn't really have any expectations,” Manzella said. “I didn't know what they had in mind for me, so I didn't want to set any goals for myself and then feel any kind of letdown because I didn't get there.”

A busy bullpen

Jeff Fulchino was the only Astros pitcher unavailable Sunday, but it's still been an unusually strenuous week for the bullpen of a ballclub with an expanded roster.

“He's a little tender today,” manager Cecil Cooper said of Fulchino, who pitched in three straight games and four of the first five on the trip.

Lefthander Wesley Wright did the same, and righty Sammy Gervacio wound up pitching in five of the six games on the trip.

Games have been close, and the Astros have used a matchup-oriented strategy, never more evident than in their use of five pitchers in the seventh inning Saturday.

The club is also down a couple arms, with Alberto Arias and Billy Sadler on the disabled list and Chad Paronto building up again after sitting eight days between the end of Class AAA Round Rock's last game and his call-up when Sadler went down.

Erstad back

Darin Erstad returned after being out since Sept. 12 with back spasms. He was available for emergency use early in the weekend but didn't see the field until Sunday. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in his only at-bat.

Cooper takes part

Cecil Cooper was hesitant to take part in the celebration of Prince Fielder's breaking the Brewers' single-season RBI record but did so at the urging of Fielder.

Fielder went on the field Sunday to accept a trophy and the congratulations of his teammates and manager Ken Macha. Cooper came out and shared a few words with the first baseman, who picked up his 127th RBI on Saturday to break Cooper's club mark of 126 set in 1982.

“With the way we'd been playing, I just didn't think it was the right thing to do,” Cooper said. “Once he kind of motioned, I said I'll go. It's a nice honor for him.”